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Q&A: Juandre Kruger

Kruger is currently in Australia where the Bulls are preparing to take on the Highlanders this coming weekend.

Below are Juandre's answers.

The question and answer session has closed.

Questions and answers

Stoffel van Graan asked:

Does John Macfarland spend the same amount of time on defence with the Bulls or does the Springbok job take some of his time he used to spend with the Bulls?

Juandre answered:

john has not missed one session of defense, and defense has been a focus in training this week

Gazza asked:

Hi Juandre

Great to have the opportunity to get to speak to one of the Bulls players. I think this is a wonderful platform.

I''m such a massive Bulls fan and I''m really impressed with the Bulls so far this season. I must admit I never though we''ll do this well.

Just a few questions.

1) With the Stegmann injury, is Arno Botha due to start at openside with CJ and Spies? I really hope he does. I think he''s a real talent.

2) I see you still in Aus, when do you guys plan on flying out to Dunedin? It''s pretty cold (to freezing) in the South Island and I was wondering if it wouldnt be better to go there early (Saturday/Sunday preferably and give all the huys sufficient time to acclimatise, etc....

Good luck with the rest of the tour and the season. Hope you get the Bok call-up in June. You deserve it.

Hi Juandre,I''m a huge fan. You''ve stepped into Vic''s shoes perfectly.Has the appointment of Bulls coaches to the Springboks had an impact on preparations? The defence in particular seems to have suffered a bit.

Juandre answered:

thank you, not at all. we will be better this week in all aspects

Kyle asked:

Hi Juandre, hope all is well in Australia?

My question is whether or not the Bulls defence will be good enough to keep the Highlanders and Chiefs attack at bay?

We have conceded the too much, if not the most, tries this season. My question might not be answered right away and we might have to even wait until we meet those opponents but what has happened to the Bulls tough defence?

Hoping you would consider my message and reply.

RegardsKyle

P.S. Congrats to you and the team on taking top of the log once again! I''m behind you all the way!!!

Juandre answered:

all good thx, our defense will be good this weekend and looking forward to the game

pieter malan asked:

How do you get a opportunity to have trails at the bulls for the under 21 team?

Juandre answered:

contact the blue bulls offices, no trials anymore. come through club system or head hunted

clifford asked:

Are you guys ready to return and kick some stommers backsides after touring?

Juandre answered:

home derbies always exciting, focus is on the highlanders only this week

Dieter Wienand asked:

Hi Juandre

Great seeing you playing such an important role in the Bulls successes.

What type of response did you guys get from the opposition playing in your new away jerseys ?

Juandre answered:

i think the media on the pink jerseys have settled now, i believe that the sponsors must get what they want, as they invest a lot

Thapelo Selebano asked:

Juandre,thanks for your time,hope u enjoy overseas'' tour. We all know what quality side the Bulls are,my question is which games you consider to be the toughest one''s in the SAn conference.

Do you watch any of the super rugby games live, or do you just check results?

Juandre answered:

watch every game and analyse

oswin asked:

Hi lock.u must b the fastest of the forwards?

Juandre answered:

i try to give pierre a go

philip vd Bergh asked:

Ur probably the most bankable and consistent of all locks in the competition, you don''t play a bad game, u don''t drop balls or miss tackles ur great in the line out!out of the springbok contenders at lock not one offers an option at flank, don''t you feel it will be to the bulls advantage as well as the Springboks advantage to give you a run at 7 because your a 7 that''s contending for a starting spot in the Springbok team at 5! A 5 that can play 7 is very useful but a 7 that can dominate 5 is huge! Ur the perfect guy to start a test then move over to flank in the second half when we bring on a young etzebeth while still having u as an extra lineout option and have u making lineout calls as the Bulls lineout is the most consistent when ur running it and even when u were playing 4 u even played a disruptive role to the opposition sides. At 7 u also offer a role as a ball carrier, ur hands are slick ur vision is great, u could just offer us the biggest ace card Rugby has seen. A 7 that runs the lineout! What are your thoughts?

Juandre answered:

thanks for the support. you sound like a clever coach......haha

Sam Stelzner asked:

Who would you most like to play alongside in this year''s Springbok side?

Juandre answered:

a lot of great players in SA

Dorfling Terblanche asked:

How does it feel, along with Francois Hougaard, to be the only Paul Roos boytjies between such a large group op Affies old boys? PRG beating Affies at Wildeklawer must have been quite enjoyable haha.

Juandre answered:

Great to still have that school pride, and hougie is world class

Craig Matthew asked:

Juandre, great season thus far. I think everyone is surprised at just how well the Bulls are coping with the loss of some big names to retirement, or moving to other clubs abroad. My question is what was the strategy behind instilling that confidence in the current training group that the Bulls can march on and succeed this season with the loss of at least 5 of the worlds best players?

Once again well done on your success and you certainly have plenty of supporters even here in Australia cheering for you guys! Lets see you hit those Highlanders hard this weekend!

Juandre answered:

thanks. great structures and professionalism played a big role.

Herman asked:

Hi Juandre

I have been a big fan of you when you played in England. How does the Heineken Cup compares to Super Rugby?

Also, do you feel you developed as a player at the Saints? I hope you become a Bok!

Juandre answered:

i had a great time at the saints. enjoyed nthe mud and the grid.......haha, super rugby and heineken cup is similar

Do you think that rugby matches should be played in an enclosed environment like the Highlanders'' stadium? Or do you think rugby is a game where the elements should be involved? Good work on tour so far. Keep it going!

Juandre answered:

i think all different factors needs to be tested

Jeremy asked:

Hi Juandre! I''m very concerned about the amount of dirty play the players are still trying to get away with. Recent players guilty of this would be Flip v.d merwe, another would be Elstad. They get caught and the match turns around! Question: Does coach Ludeke blast offenders or does he have a "it''s part of the game" attitude???!

Juandre answered:

we focus a lot on discipline

Melt Calitz asked:

Did you find that the jetlag was worse in your second game and can we expect a better 80 minute effort from the team this week?

how confident are you about the next two games the bulls have. im very sure we will win

Juandre answered:

good vibe in the team

awie asked:

this weekend game is massive for the bulls,i blieve we can beat the highlanders.im big bulls supporter.the team play good rugby at the moment.how is the mood in the camp after the waratahs win coz we seem to struggle always in 2nd week of tours.u playing really good rugby.so as the team.how are the team preparing for this weekemd match against the highlanders coz they are good dangerous team.

Juandre answered:

we had a great week and great vibe

Graham asked:

Why did you choose to move to the Bulls after school and varsity in the cape and a few caps for western province ?

Juandre answered:

best decision for me at the time

Derick Pieterse asked:

What did the Bulls change that improved their defence from the Rebels game compared to the Warathas game?

Juandre answered:

attitude and different game

Joshua Nkomo asked:

If you were a Soccer player which position will you prefer. Which PSL team will play for?